Memories of rain in summer camp

As I look outside my kitchen window and watch the rain come down, I can’t help but think back to those rainy days way back in Summer Camp up in the Berkshires. Those were some storms we had. I remember being in my bunk with all my friends and the rain pounding on the roof over our heads. All the outdoor sporting events would be cancelled and we’d be thrilled to stay inside and do nothing. We’d play games, trade baseball cards, read comics and just hang out. Someone would open a secret stash of smuggled candy and we’d fight over it. Pillow fights would break out and fart wars and the longer we hung out in that bunk the more stir crazy we’d get. Until finally, we’d break free, run outside into the raging rainstorm and run as fast as we could down the hill and slide on our backs. We’d mudslide down this one steep hill as more and more campers from other bunks joined in the fun. Soon, there’d be dozens of kids running up the hill and sliding back down. A muddy groove would emerge where grass had once been and all of us would be covered head to toe in mud.

After what seemed like hours (but was probably just a few runs), we’d head down to the lake and jump in to wash the mud off us. Then back up to our bunks to change into dry clothes.